[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28640-28642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08281]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 70

[EPA-R07-OAR-2024-0064; FRL-11722-02-R7]


Air Plan Approval; Iowa; State Implementation Plan and State 
Operating Permits Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to approve revisions to the Iowa State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
and the Operating Permit Program for the State of Iowa. The revisions 
update incorporations by reference to EPA methods for performance 
testing (stack testing), update the definitions, and adopt the most 
recent National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. These 
revisions do not impact the stringency of the SIP or have an adverse 
effect on air quality. The EPA's approval of this rule revision is 
being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act 
(CAA).

DATES: This final rule is effective on May 20, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-R07-OAR-2024-0064. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in 
the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain 
other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the 
internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. 
Publicly available docket materials are available through https://www.regulations.gov or please contact the person identified in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for additional information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bethany Olson, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 7 Office, Air Quality Planning Branch, 11201 
Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219; telephone number: (913) 551-
7905; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ``we,'' ``us,'' and 
``our'' refer to EPA.

Table of Contents

I. What is being addressed in this document?
II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP and the operating 
permit plan revisions been met?
III. The EPA's Response to Comments
IV. What action is the EPA taking?
V. Incorporation by Reference
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. What is being addressed in this document?

    The EPA is approving revisions to the Iowa SIP and the Operating 
Permits Program received on March 29, 2023. The revisions incorporate 
recent changes to Iowa Administrative Code. The following chapters are 
impacted:
     Chapter 20, ``Scope of Title--Definitions;''
     Chapter 22, ``Controlling Pollution;''
     Chapter 25, ``Measurement of Emissions;'' and
     Chapter 28, ``Ambient Air Quality Standards.''
    The revisions update incorporations by reference to EPA methods for 
performance testing (stack testing) and adopt the most recent National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. As explained in detail 
in the EPA's proposed rule, EPA finds these revisions meet the 
requirements of the Clean Air Act, do not impact the stringency of the 
SIP, and do not adversely impact air quality (89 FR 12291, February 16, 
2024). The full text of these changes can be found in the State's 
submission, which is included in the docket for this action.
    Sections 111 and 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) allow EPA to 
delegate authority to states for New Source Performance Standards 
(NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 
(NESHAPs). EPA has delegated authority to Iowa for approved portions of 
these sections of the CAA. Changes made to Iowa's Chapter 23 pertaining 
to new and revised NSPS and NESHAPs are not directly approved into the 
SIP, but rather, are adopted by reference. Thus, EPA is not approving 
the changes to Chapter 23 of the Iowa Administrative Code into the 
state's SIP.

II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP and the operating 
permit plan revisions been met?

    The State submission has met the public notice requirements for SIP

[[Page 28641]]

submissions in accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The submission also 
satisfied the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. The 
State provided public notice on this SIP revision from November 2, 
2022, to December 5, 2022, and held a public hearing on December 5, 
2022. The State received no comments. In addition, as explained above, 
the revision meets the substantive SIP requirements of the CAA, 
including section 110 and implementing regulations.

III. The EPA's Response to Comments

    The public comment period on the EPA's proposed rule opened 
February 16, 2024, the date of its publication in the Federal Register 
and closed on March 18, 2024. During this period, EPA received one 
comment. The comment is available for review in the docket for this 
action.
    Comment 1: The commenter stated the date the state public comment 
period opened was incorrect in section V. of the proposed rule. The 
proposed rule incorrectly stated that the state provided public notice 
on the SIP revision from November 22, 2022, to December 5, 2022. The 
correct date the state public comment period opened is November 2, 
2022.
    Response 1: The EPA acknowledges that the proposed rule used an 
incorrect date for the opening of the state public comment period. 
While the error does not have a substantive impact on EPA's proposed 
action, EPA has changed the date the state public comment period opened 
in the final rulemaking.

IV. What action is the EPA taking?

    The EPA is finalizing its proposal to approve revisions to the Iowa 
SIP and the Operating Permits Program at IAC 567-20.2, 567-25.1, 567-
28.1, and 567-22.100.

V. Incorporation by Reference

    In this document, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that 
includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 
1 CFR 51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of the 
Iowa rules 567-20.2, Definitions, which provides definitions for air 
quality regulations; 567-25.1, Testing and Sampling of New and Existing 
Equipment, which regulates testing and sampling of equipment; 567-28.1, 
State-wide Standards, which regulates ambient air quality standards; 
and 22.100, Definitions for Title V Operating Permits, which provides 
definitions for state operating permits. The state effective date of 
these rules is March 15, 2023. The EPA has made, and will continue to 
make, these materials generally available through https://www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 7 Office (please contact the 
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this preamble for more information).
    Therefore, these materials have been approved by the EPA for 
inclusion in the State Implementation Plan, have been incorporated by 
reference by EPA into that plan, are fully federally enforceable under 
sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of the effective date of the final 
rulemaking of the EPA's approval, and will be incorporated by reference 
in the next update to the SIP compilation.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 62 FR 27968, May 22, 1997.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VI. Statutory and Executive Order

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a 
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Clean Air Act 
and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). 
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state 
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. 
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 14094 (88 FR 21879, April 11, 2023);
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997) because it approves a state program;
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); and
     Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act.
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has 
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian 
country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose 
substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as 
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
    Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629, 
February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address 
``disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects'' of their actions on minority populations and low-income 
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law. 
EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as ``the fair treatment and 
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, 
national origin, or income with respect to the development, 
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and 
policies.'' EPA further defines the term fair treatment to mean that 
``no group of people should bear a disproportionate burden of 
environmental harms and risks, including those resulting from the 
negative environmental consequences of industrial, governmental, and 
commercial operations or programs and policies.''
    The Iowa Department of Natural Resources did not evaluate 
environmental justice considerations as part of its SIP submittal; the 
CAA and applicable implementing regulations neither prohibit nor 
require such an evaluation. EPA did not perform an EJ analysis and did 
not consider EJ in this action. Due to the nature of the action being 
taken here, this action is expected to have a neutral to positive 
impact on the air quality of the affected area. Consideration of EJ is 
not required as part of this action, and there is no information in the 
record inconsistent with the stated goal of E.O. 12898 of achieving 
environmental justice for people of color, low-income populations, and 
Indigenous peoples.
    This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act, and EPA 
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the 
Comptroller General of the United States. This action is not a ``major 
rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

[[Page 28642]]

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by June 18, 2024. Filing a 
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of 
judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for 
judicial review may be filed and shall not postpone the effectiveness 
of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)).

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate matter, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

40 CFR Part 70

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Air pollution control, Intergovernmental relations, Operating permits, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: April 11, 2024.
Meghan A. McCollister,
Regional Administrator, Region 7.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the EPA amends 40 CFR parts 
52 and 70 as set forth below:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart Q--Iowa

0
2. In Sec.  52.820, the table in paragraph (c) is amended by revising 
the entries ``567-20.2,'' ``567-25.1,'' and ``567-28.1'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  52.820  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

                                          EPA-Approved Iowa Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    State
      Iowa citation              Title         effective date      EPA approval date           Explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Iowa Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Commission [567]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Chapter 20--Scope of Title--Definitions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
567-20.2................  Definitions........       3/15/2022  4/19/2024, [insert        The definitions for
                                                                Federal Register          ``anaerobic lagoon,''
                                                                citation].                ``odor,'' ``odorous
                                                                                          substance,'' ``odorous
                                                                                          substance source'' are
                                                                                          not SIP approved.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Chapter 25--Measurement of Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
567-25.1................  Testing and               3/15/2023  4/19/2024, [insert        .......................
                           Sampling of New                      Federal Register
                           and Existing                         citation].
                           Equipment.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Chapter 28--Ambient Air Quality Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
567-28.1................  Statewide standards       3/15/2023  4/19/2024, [insert        .......................
                                                                Federal Register
                                                                citation].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

PART 70--STATE OPERATING PERMIT PROGRAMS

0
3. The authority citation for part 70 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.

0
4. Appendix A to part 70 is amended by adding paragraph (z) under 
``Iowa'' to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 70--Approval Status of State and Local Operating 
Permits Programs

* * * * *

Iowa

* * * * *
    (z) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources submitted for 
program approval revisions to rule 567-22.100 on March 29, 2023. The 
state effective date is March 15, 2023. This revision is effective 
May 20, 2024.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2024-08281 Filed 4-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P